Horseback Riding
Compare weather-dependent guided beach rides with options for travelers bringing their own horses, plus what to wear and confirm before arrival.
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Local planning guides
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Dining
Build a practical dining plan around seafood, family favorites, dessert stops, early closing times, and busy event weekends.
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Family Amusement
Choose mini golf, go-karts, arcades, bowling, or gift shops for a high-energy outing or a rainy-day backup.
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Biking
Match cruisers, fat-tire bikes, e-bikes, or surreys to flat town streets and firm low-tide sand while planning around wind and traffic.
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Golfing
Plan an 18-hole, par-71 coastal round where marine air and steady wind matter as much as the measured yardage.
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Fishing & Clamming
Compare Duck Lake fishing, offshore charters, and tightly regulated razor-clam digs with the licenses and live checks each requires.
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Stroll the Beach
Choose a simple walk from Tidal House, a North Jetty tide-pool outing, or a birding and beachcombing loop at Damon Point.
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Kite Flying
Use Ocean Shores’ steady coastal wind and broad beach for a first flight, family afternoon, stunt-kite session, or festival visit.
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Watersports
Explore Duck Lake and roughly 23 miles of sheltered canals by kayak, paddleboard, canoe, hydrobike, or quiet electric boat.
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Festivals & Events
Use our annual-event shortlist to plan around Ocean Shores’ signature seafood, arts, kite, motorcycle, and holiday weekends.
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Fall Hiking
Walk the sheltered Weatherwax forest, birdwatch at Damon Point, or connect dunes and beach at Ocean City State Park.
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Local Shopping
Browse independent gift shops, coastal art, kites, candy, beach supplies, and Sharky’s unmistakable shark-mouth entrance.
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Coastal Interpretive Center
Explore the coast indoors.
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Damon Point
A coastal walk with room to slow down.
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Oyhut Wildlife Area
A quieter side of Ocean Shores.
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North Jetty
A front-row view of the coast.
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Dogs at the Beach
Plan beach walks and find the designated off-leash stretch.
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Know Before You Go
The coast changes quickly, and some activities are governed by live openings or seasonal rules. These official resources are the final word for your visit.
Beach-driving warning
Drive on the beach only with care, and never leave your vehicle unattended. Stay well back from the waterfront on hard-packed sand, and check the Ocean Shores tide table before and during your visit. An incoming tide can trap a vehicle, leave it stuck, or—in the worst case—carry it into the sea. This is avoidable: keep your distance from the water and remain mindful of the tide.
Tides, surf, and wildlife
Plan around the tide, keep well back from resting marine mammals, and respect signed habitat closures and protected dunes.
Razor-clam openings
Clam digs only happen on approved beaches and dates after marine-toxin testing. Verify the opening and license rules immediately before digging.
Ocean Shores questions
What are the best things to do in Ocean Shores with kids?
Family favorites include playing and beachcombing on the beach, go-karts, mini golf, arcades, kite flying, biking, and guided horseback rides for children who meet the outfitter’s requirements. Mix one planned attraction with flexible beach time so the day can adjust to the weather.
What can you do in Ocean Shores when it rains?
Arcades, local shops, restaurants, and other indoor amusements are good rainy-day choices. Coastal showers often pass, so keep layers and rain jackets handy, take a break at your chalet, and return to the beach when conditions improve.
Which Ocean Shores activities should I reserve in advance?
Check ahead for guided horseback rides, bike or watersports rentals, golf tee times, and popular seasonal events. Availability and operating conditions change, especially on summer weekends, so confirm directly with the provider before building the rest of your day around an activity.
Can I walk to the beach from Tidal House?
Yes. The walk takes about seven minutes: go south toward the Grey Gull, walk behind its maintenance shed, turn left, and then take the beach path on your right.
When is razor-clam digging available?
Razor-clam digs open only on dates approved by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, and schedules can change. Check the official WDFW razor-clam page at https://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/shellfishing-regulations/razor-clams before planning a dig and again before heading to the beach.
Are there dog-friendly things to do in Ocean Shores?
Dogs can join you for beach walks and many outdoor outings when they remain under control and you follow posted leash and cleanup rules. Tidal House welcomes dogs under its current pet policy; individual shops, restaurants, rentals, and events set their own rules, so confirm before visiting.
Stay Near the Beach
Spend the day on the beach, in the forest, around the canals, or in town—then return to your A-frame cottage. Check availability for your dates.
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